Description
These Mini Pie Crust Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful twist on a classic treat, using a flaky pie crust as the base for sweet cinnamon sugar spirals. Perfect for a quick and easy dessert or breakfast, these cinnamon rolls bake up crisp on the outside and tender inside, providing all the warmth and flavor with minimal prep time.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Dough
- 1 disk pie crust (homemade or store-bought) - enough for the bottom crust of a pie
Other
- 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
Instructions
- Mix Cinnamon Sugar: In a medium bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon until combined well. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pie crust dough into a rough 12 by 8-inch rectangle, aiming for about 1/4 inch thickness. Use your hands or a knife to gently shape the edges into a neat rectangle, but precision isn’t necessary.
- Brush Butter and Sprinkle Cinnamon Sugar: Using a pastry brush, generously coat the dough with the melted butter, leaving a 1/2 inch border around all edges. While the butter is still soft, evenly sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the buttered surface.
- Roll Dough into Log: Starting from the longer side, tightly roll the dough dough into a log shape. Seal the edge by pinching the seam to prevent it from unraveling.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap the rolled log tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for about 20 minutes, or until it's firm enough to slice without squashing.
- Preheat the Oven: Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Slice the Rolls: Remove the chilled dough log from the freezer and unwrap it. Using a sharp knife, slice the log into 12 equal-sized rolls. Arrange the rolls on the prepared baking sheet cut side up, leaving approximately 2 inches between each for expansion.
- Bake the Rolls: Place the baking sheet in the center of the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the bottom edges are golden brown. Be careful not to overbake as this will make the rolls too hard.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the rolls to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before serving. They can be enjoyed plain or garnished with a simple powdered sugar glaze for extra sweetness.
Notes
- Use a good quality pie crust for the best texture; homemade or store-bought crust works equally well.
- Freezing the rolled dough log is key to making clean slices without squishing the rolls.
- Keep an eye on the baking time to avoid overbaking; crispy edges should be golden but not burnt.
- For an extra touch, drizzle with powdered sugar icing or cream cheese frosting after cooling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
